What Does Dental Cleaning Entail?

Dental cleaning, a foundational aspect of oral healthcare, is more than just a quick brush and floss. It’s a comprehensive process designed to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, prevent the onset of dental diseases, and ensure that your smile remains radiant.

Let’s look at the process, its types, and advantages to decide whether this oral treatment may suit you and your family.

Dental Cleaning: An Overview

Physical Exam

Before the actual process begins, a dentist conducts a physical examination of your entire mouth. The check involves looking around the teeth and gums with a small mirror for signs of gingivitis or other potential issues.

Removing Plaque and Tartar

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth and contains bacteria. If not removed, it can harden into tartar, a tough substance that’s only removable with special dental cleaning tools. The dentist uses a scaler, which may produce a scraping sound, to eliminate plaque and tartar around the gum line and between each tooth.

High-Powered Brushing

After tartar removal, the next step is using a high-powered electric brush to ensure deep teeth cleaning and also help remove any leftover tartar. Your dentist is likely to use toothpaste with a gritty consistency, not unlike sand. This texture helps polish the tooth surface, ensuring a pristine finish. Remember, this isn’t a daily type of toothpaste, as its abrasiveness can wear down enamel if used too frequently.

Expert Flossing

Even if you floss daily at home, there’s nothing like a professional flossing session. The dentist can get deep between each tooth and locate potential trouble spots where you might bleed at the gums. This may point to areas where you need to improve your flossing efforts.

Rinsing

The next step involves rinsing the mouth thoroughly. You’re provided with a rinse containing liquid fluoride to help wash away debris and sanitise the mouth further.

Fluoride Treatment

You might receive a fluoride treatment to wrap up the session. This treatment serves as a form of protection by helping fight against cavities for several months. The dentist might fit a mouthpiece filled with fluoride gel or foam and place it over your teeth for a minute or so.

Types of Procedures

• Routine: This is the standard teeth cleaning you receive during check-ups. It involves the removal of plaque, tartar, and stains from the surfaces of each tooth above the gum line.
• Deep (Scaling and Root Planing): Recommended for patients with periodontitis, it involves getting below the gumline. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces and beneath gums, while root planing smoothens the root surfaces, preventing further tartar buildup.
• Periodontal: Patients with gum disease may require more frequent sessions, known as periodontal maintenance. This helps prevent the condition from worsening and supports your oral health.

How Long Does The Process Take?

Routine teeth cleaning usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour. However, deep and periodontal sessions might require extended time or multiple visits, depending on the severity of the problem.

Advantages of Getting Professional Teeth Cleaning

1. Disease Prevention: They can reduce the risk of developing gum disease and cavities.
2. Oral Cancer Detection: Regular check-ups and teeth cleaning sessions can lead to early detection of oral cancers.
3. Brighter Smile: The process removes stains, leading to a whiter, brighter smile.
4. Prevent Bad Breath: Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent persistent bad breath.
5. Cost-Effective: Preventative care like this is more cost-effective in the long run as it can prevent more expensive treatments later.

The Holistic Benefits of Oral Health Care

Many perceive this procedure as just another tick on their healthcare checklist, but it holds significance beyond oral hygiene. One can appreciate its profound effect on well-being by understanding its comprehensive benefits.

Whole Body Health Connection

The mouth, often considered the gateway to the body, is crucial in influencing overall health. Inflammation and infections in the mouth, particularly gum disease, can lead to severe health complications. There’s a demonstrated connection between periodontal disease and heart disease. Bacteria in the mouth resulting from poor oral hygiene can enter the bloodstream and lead to arterial plaque buildup. By maintaining a hygienic mouth, you are, in a sense, also caring for your heart.

Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence

A hygienic, fresh mouth undoubtedly enhances one’s self-confidence. A radiant smile, free from plaque and tartar, can make one feel good about oneself, influencing social interactions and career opportunities.

Prevention of Tooth Loss

One of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. As gum disease advances, plaque moves further down the tooth, destroying the supporting bone structure and leading to tooth loss. Regular dental cleaning sessions and good oral hygiene practices can ensure you maintain the health of each tooth.

The Relaxation Factor

While not everyone might agree, these sessions can be quite relaxing for many. The gentle, methodical process can be meditative for some. Plus, the fresh feeling of completion is undeniably invigorating. If anxiety is a concern, many dental practices now offer a calming environment, with soothing music and even aromatherapy, making the experience pleasant.

Choose The Smile Designer for Professional Teeth Cleaning

The significance of dental cleaning resonates far beyond just oral hygiene. It’s a ritual that safeguards our health, boosts our self-esteem, and even offers a slice of relaxation. As with many health practices, consistency is key.

Understanding the profound effects of such a simple act makes it clear that the journey to holistic health may begin in the dentist’s chair. Regular appointments can ensure a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth.

Don’t wait until tomorrow to prioritise your oral health; schedule an appointment by Contacting our friendly team at The Smile Designer. Our team will ensure your dental hygiene is well managed and done so in a relaxed, comfortable and safe environment where your smile will be a testament to your holistic health and can shine its brightest.